In August 2016, we sadly lost my dear friend Jackie after a short, unexpected battle with ovarian cancer. Jackie and I have been the best of friends since we were 11 years old and the diagnosis took everybody by complete surprise. Towards the end of her fight, she was taken care of by the amazing staff and volunteers at Saint Michaels Hospice, giving her a place to end her journey with dignity and without pain. I couldn‘t thank the staff enough for their care and support during this time and would like to, in some way, thank them for this.

In September, I will be taking part in the Great North Run in order to raise as much money as I can for this wonderful organisation. I will be running 13.1 miles, Jackie would actually think I was mad (must be the menopause!). However, I am doing it to raise as much as possible in her memory. I would appreciate anything that you could donate to help me reach my goal of £1000.

1 in 3 people in the Harrogate District will be touched by hospice care at some point in their lives. Without the services provided by organisations like Saint Michaels, people could be left to face the complex issues and forgotten challenges of terminal illness alone. Saint Michaels need to raise around £13,000 a day to fund all the work they do.

Below is a patient wish list which will hopefully show you how your donations make an amazing difference to someone living with terminal illness or bereavement.

£10 could help fund a ‘first aid of feelings’ kit for children to use when they are having a difficult day.

£25 could help buy books, games, memory boxes and other resources to use in support sessions with children, young people and adults.

£30 could help one of our team to visit someone at home to provide the essential support they need to live at home for longer.

£50 could help fund a one-to-one session for a child or adult who is dealing with grief with one of our experienced practitioners.

£100 could help fund a number of group support sessions or remembrance events.

£500 could help someone access a 10-week package of day therapy where our team will listen to what is important to them and then work to help them to achieve their goals where possible.

Thank you!

Sue x